Portable hoist



P. A. KETCHPEL I July 15, 1952 PORTABLE HOIST 2 SHEETlS--SHEET l Filed Jan. 27. 1949 INVENTOR L aL.

July 15 1952 iP. A. KE'rcHPEL 2,603,372

PORTABLE HOIST Filed Jan. 27. 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 "5 fie Z0 I NvEN-roR f3 @WL a.

Patented July 15, 1952 PORTABLE HQIST Paul A. Ketchpel, West Englewood, N. J., assignor to Ketchpel Engineering Company, West Englewood, N. J., a corporation Application January 27, 1949, kSerial No. 73,103 7 claims. (C1. 214-95) This invention relates to hoists and more specically .to one suitable for lifting beer barrels from ground to truck level where no loading platform exists.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hoist that is portable, light weight in construction and easily moved throughout different areas of the plant, such as in a yard or in a cooling room or other parts of a plant.

Another-object of this invention is to provide a hoist which is versatile and rapid in operation and which mai7 be moved close up against the rear end of a truck body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoist which is provided with a loading platform.

which receives its'load from one side and automatically discharges it at the other side.

It is a another object of the invention to' provide a hoist having means suitable for mounting any one of a number of standard electric hoist motors for use as `its prime mover.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a combination of electrical controls and adjustable mechanical controls for automatically stopping the upward or downward movement of the platform.

It is another'object of the invention to provide mechanismfor automatically tilting the platform of a hoist to discharge barrels therefrom so that they will roll to the front end of a truck for being stacked manually.

It is a further object of the invention to provide -.a frame work for a hoist which will' be economical in its consumption of metal and economical to fabricate and so proportioned in its design that it is capable of supporting .elevated loads without danger of tipping.

It is also an object of the inventionY to` provide a high load capacity weldment for the frame of a hoist-which comprises` of a horizontal U section Aand an'inverted vertical U section,all of which can be fabricated of comon metal shapes.

1 I` attain these objects by mechanism illustratedin the-,accompanying drawings in which: f 4Figure l-is a frontelevation of the machine.

Fgure' 2 is a planview ofthe machine as it appears'in Figure 4l with the electric extension cord and rack removed.-

FigureB is an end elevation view ofthe machine shown Vin Figure 1 with 4the electric extension cord and rack removed. A Y

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the machine taken valong'the line-4 4 on Figurepl;`

Figure 5 isV an isometric view of the frame weldment. f

similar parts ing platforms. Thus it is a slow and laborious job to raise these barrels from ground to'truck body level requiring a twoman team. With my invention after the barrels are rolled on to thev platform an electricv motor is `used to raise the beer barrels and cause themto roll` ofrthe platform at the top of its stroke. g Referring now to the drawingsthe machine I0 has a frame II, comprising a U-shapedhorizontal base member I2 including the two side legs I3 and the rearV cross piece I4;- an inverted U-shapedupright trussA member I5 including vertical columns l6 and an overhead beam I'I; and brace 'members I8 extending down from the upper portion of `said truss members I5v at each side and'- connecting with the U-shaped horizontal base sectionA I2 of said frame II.- VThe machine Ill-may be further strengthened with shelf supports- I9 welded in between the braces I8 and the columns I6.

Caster plates 20 are Ywelded to the far corner of the U-shaped Ahorizontal base I2 to which the 'large wheeled ball bearing swivel casters 2l are bolted. A

- The overhead beam I2 may be constructed of two channels -22 spaced apart, spanning between and welded on to the upper ends Aof the -vertical columns IIi.- A double sheave wheel 23 velectricmotor 30 is suspendedthereto by the bolt The lift chain 32 of this standard electric prime `mover is shortened, then assembled around a sprocket 33 mounted for rotation on'a pin 34 Y on the prime mover;

barrels'48 on` `to the ange of a truck.l

3 supported in bearings 35 welded to one of the vertical columns I6. The remote end 36 of the chain 32 extends up to the top of the column I6, where it is attached by a clamp 31 to the loop 38 formed at the motor end of the long cable 40 and short cable 39 which run over the double sheave wheel 23. The other end of the short cable 39 extends down the inner side of the vertical column I6 on the right side of the machine and is pivotally connected by a pin 43 mounted in the right end wall 44 of the platform 45. The

long cable 40 extends across to the left-side of the machine where it runs on the single sheave wheel 26 and then extends down and is attached to the left end wall 46 of the platform 45 in thel same manner as described before.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 4 the platform 45 is of novel construction and comprises left and right end walls 44 and 46 welded on to a tray 41 extending across from one side of the machine to the other and preferably being-wide enough to accommodate two beer barrels laid endwise as shown in dot and dash lines at 48.v The tray is provided with a ramp 49 at the front side of the machine to facilitate rolling the barrels on' to the tray. A trough-like depressionf50 is formed in the tray 41 and providesmeans for holding the barrels on the platform 45 when it rises.

It should be noted that the edges of the end walls 44 and 46 and the flange 5I formed on the tray member 41 of the platform 45` rests on the floor when in its lower most position.' This flange I and the sloping wall 52 stiifen the tray and permit the use of light weight metal.

Trunnion 55 extending `outwardly from the end walls 44 and 46 and engage the vertical columns I6 for guiding 'the platform 45 as it moves Vup and down. The columns I6 are shown constructed of I-beams which provide suitable tracks 56 in which wheels 51 mounted on the trunnions 55 may engage. l

The 4electric motor 30 is set in motion-by raising the manual switch lever 66 which is pivoted to the bracket 29. The manual switch lever 60 is connected by a link 6I to a fulcrum lever 62 pivoted on a shaft 63 which is in turn connected by a link 64 to the automatic switch' lever 65 mounted on the pivot pin 58. Raising the manual switch lever 60 or lowering the automatic switch lever 64 will cause the motor sprocket 68 to rotatel and pull in its chain 32. A A receptacle 59 is provided to hold the pulled in chain.

The automatic switch lever 65 has a forked end 61 which straddles a'rod 68 which is mounted in bearings 69 welded to the vertical column I6. `A stop collar 'I0 is mounted at the top of rod 68 to prevent it from falling vthrough the'bearings 69.

As the tray 41 rises, the lug 1I welded on the tray 41 engages a projecting lug 13, a part of a collar 12 mounted on the rod 68, and raises the rod 68 and causes the collar 14 to raise the automatic switch lever 65, shut off the motor 30 and apply'the brake 21 which is standard equipment As the tray 41 rises, tilting bosses 15 welded on each'end 'wall-44and46, engageistop blocks 16 causing the tray 41 to pivot about trunnions 55 in track 56 and tiltthe tray '41 to discharge The stop blocks 16- are adjustably'mounted'on braces I8,- and by' loosening screw 1-1 with handle 18 the tilting blocks 16 may be raised or lowered toV cause the tray 41 to-discharge its'load at the l desired height. .v

Lowering manual switch lever 60v will cause 4 motor sprocket 66 to rotate and pay out chain 32 until the loop 19 of the chain 32 pulls up on the short end 93 of the automatic switch lever 65 shuts off motor 30 and applies brake 21 as the platform 45 reaches its lowest position. A spring 86 is fastened between the end of chain 32 and bolt 81 on motor 30 to take strain on chain 32 if the motor 30 overtravels.

In operation for loading trucks, the hoist is pushed up against the tail gate of the truck until the braces I 8 rest against the edge of the tail gate. Barrels roll from the tray on to the floor of the truck. However, when raising barrels to stack'the'm in a cooling room it is not possible to move the platform very close to the last barrel in the stack. Therefore, a transfer shelf is provided for spanning the gap between the platform and the barrel on which the next barrel is to be placed.

The transfer shelf B is constructed with side plates 8I having hooks 82 at their upper end and support legs 83 ybent at their lower ends to rest against the braces`l8. The floor 84 of transfer shelf 89 has anges 85 bent at both'edges to strengthen same and permit use of light weight metal. -The transfer. shelf may'be attached to braces I8 bycanting transfer shelf 80 between braces I8 and engaging `the hooks 82 behind the braces I8. The shelf 88 is then lowered until the hooks 82 rest on shelf supports I9 and the lower supportinglegs 83 rest against the braces I8. In using the transfershelf B6 the tilting tray blocks 16 are raised rst andadjusted so that platform 45 will be level with the transfer shelf 80 and the motor stop collar 12 is adjusted'so motor 30 is shut off before the load is discharged onto platf0rm.84. f

' An electric extension cord 94of 50 to 75 feet in .length is connected to the motor 30 for plugging into outlets at various parts of a plant. When the cord 94 is not in use it may be conveniently stored on a bracket 95 extending out from the upper end Vof the right vertical column IG.

It should now. be apparent that the above discloses the construction for a machine which may be used to hoist barrels, bags or cases from the ground or floor level to truck bodies, platforms orfor stacking such .objects in storage areas. Other uses will suggest themselves for this machine which will be covered by the following claims. l'

The construction disclosed and described representsthe preferred and commercial form of the invention but various' changes of detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim: 1 1. I n aJ portable hoist, the combination of a frame comprising a ll-shaped horizontal base comprising open horizontal legs and a rear member connecting both of said legs, an inverted U-shaped upright truss comprising vertical open 'columns andatop horizontal beam member, the lower ends of said vertical columns 'being mounted 'one the .U-sh'apehorizontal base approximately midway'along the horizontal legs, a platform centrallycradled in said U-shaped base and centrally mounted within the contines of saidinverted U-shaped upright truss and suspended by cables supported onpulleys` mounted on the hori- 'zontal beam members 'of'said inverted U-shaped upright truss, said horizontal and vertical U- -shape'd frame `members being free of crossbraces to provide unobstructed loading and movement of the platform in said frame, an electric prime named lugv for automaticallyr actuating said switch mechanism for stopping movement of said platform at the end of its upward'ordownwardstroke and means resilientlyiresisting overtravel jlof'said prime mover. j(

2 In 'a portableY hoist, thejcombination'of a 1 frame comprising av horizontal base havinghorizont'al 'lpgmembers lopen for unobstructed loading, an upright truss including columns/andy an overhead beam member, said columns'A being mounted on the horizontal-legs' of said member, a platform mounted for up4 and down movement between said upright columnsrand suspended byA cables which are supported by said overhead'beam members, an electric hoist for moving said cables, means for supporting said hoist motor on said frame, trunnions located centrally at the ends of said platform having engagement with the upright columns for vertically guiding said platform, brace members extending down fromthe upper portion of said truss member at each side and connecting with the rear corners of the horizontal base section, and a transfer shelf mounted between said braces and supported thereby, said horizontal base being U-shape and arranged to permit the platform to be lowered to the iioor and cradled in the confines of said U-shape base where the platform may be loaded directly from the oor through the opening at the front side of said frame, and said transfer shelf being located on the rear of said frame for receiving the load discharged from said platform.

3. In a portable hoist, the combination of a frame comprising a U-shape horizontal base having open horizontal legs and a rear member connecting both of said legs, an inverted U- shape upright truss comprising vertical columns open therebetween and connected by an overhead horizontal beam member, all of said frame members arranged to permit loading at the floor level on the front side and discharging on the rear side thereof, a platform mounted centrally between said upright columns, said platform provided with trunnions located centrally at the ends of said platform and providing a pivot for same and having engagement with the upright columns for guiding said platform, cables pivotally attached to said platform for up and down movement thereto, sheave wheels provided on the overhead beam member for supporting said cables, an electric motor mounted on said truss out of the path of said platform, switch mechanism for manually starting the movement of said platform, mechanical means for automatically stopping movement of said platform at the end of its upward or downward stroke, said mechanical means comprising a lug on the end of the platform and a stop rod slideably mounted on the vertical column and extended down to the motor which automatically shuts off the current at the end of the upward or downward stroke of the platform.

4. In a portable hoist, the combination of a frame comprising a U-shape horizontal base having open horizontal legs and a rear member connecting both of said legs, an inverted U- shape upright truss comprising vertical columns open therebetween and connected by an overhead horizontal beam member, all of said framemem- "-bers-.arranged' to permit lloading at vthe floonlevel on the' front side *andi discharging 'on'the rear side` thereof; a'ipl'atform mounted centrally between I said 'upright columns, said .platform provided-'with trunnions ylocated centrally. at the ends ofsai'dl platform and providing'a .pivot for same and having engagement'with the upright columns forguiding ,said platform, cables "'pivotally" attached toV saidl platform for imparting up fand kdown-'movement 5 thereto, ksheave wheels provided on the overheadfbeammember for supporting said cables, ani electric' motor mounted ion' said 'truss-out ofthe path 4of said platform, .brace members extending rearwardly down from the upper portionof said columns at each side and connected withftheirear corners of the horizontal vba'se section, fraV transfer shelf-mounted. between-.said braces and' supported thereby','-ad `instable stops on said-frame, and means on said platform for contacting said stops for'tilting'said platform when ,moved there-againstV ...by said cables, lswitch mechanismv for manually` starting "the" movement of `rsaid platform, mechanical means forfauto'matically stopping movementv of said platform at the-end of its upward or downward stroke, said mechanical means comprising a lug on the end of the platform and a stop rod slideably mounted on the vertical column and extended down to the motor which automatically shuts off the current at the end of the upward or downward stroke of the platform.

5. In a portable hoist. the combination of a frame comprising a U-shape horizontal base having open horizontal legs and a rear member connecting both of said legs, an inverted U-shape upright truss comprising vertical columns open therebetween and connected by an overhead horizontal beam member, all of said frame members arranged to permit loading at the oor level on the front side and discharging on the rear side thereof, a platform mounted centrally between said upright columns, said platform provided with trunnions located centrally at the ends of said platform and providing a pivot for same and having engagement with the upright columns for guiding said platform, cables pivotally attached to said platform for imparting up and down movement thereto, sheave wheels provided on the overhead beam member for supporting said cables, an electric motor mounted on said truss out of the path of said platform, switch mechanism for manually controlling the movement of said motor, said platform being wider than it is deep and having a floor plate formed to provide a loading ramp at the front side thereof, a depression at its central portion into which barrels may be lodged while being hoisted, a floor portion of its rear side sloping downward towards the center when said platform is normally suspended by said cables, said platform having upstanding end walls provided with trunnions extending outwardly to engage the columns of said inverted upright truss, said end walls being provided with pins for attaching the cablesy to the platform, said end Walls provided with projecting lugs, tilting bosses provided on said frame at the desired discharge level in the path of said projecting lugs, said motor and cables being arranged to tilt said platform until its rear iioor portion slopes to the rear of the hoist and discharges the barrels from said depression.

.6. In an article of manufacture for the purpose described, an integral frame Weldment for a portable hoist comprising a U-shape horizontal base havingv two tubular side legs and a rear tubular member connecting both side legs, an inverted U-shape upright truss comprising vertical double channel-like columns connected by a beamcomprising spaced channels at their upper end, said columns of said inverted U-shape truss members being formed to said tubular legs vmidway between their ends, tubular-like brace members formed with ythe upper end of said vertical columns and extending down to said horizontal frame portion and formed with the frame at the rear corners, one of said vertical columns having a motor support formed thereon, said U- shape tubular base portion having caster mounting plates formed on the underside of al1 four corners.

'7. In an article of manufacture for the purposes described a weldment comprising of a horizontal U-shaped base member, an inverted U-shaped upright truss member having the lower ends connected to the side legs of said base member, brace members extending down from the upper portion of said truss at each side and con- .necting with the rear corners `of said U-shaped horizontal base member, said members all Welded together to form one integral product.

PAUL A. KETCHPEL.

, ,REFERENCES CITED `'Ihe'following references are of record in the le .of thisfpatent:

UNITEDfsTATEs PATENTS 

